# Merilog a Novolog bio similar by Sanofi has been approved **URL:** \ **Category:** Insulin\ **Tags:** fda\ **Created:** [March 3, 2025, 11:31pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/merilog-a-novolog-bio-similar-by-sanofi-has-been-approved/15165 "2025-03-03T23:31:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CarlosLuis](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/carlosluis/32/11389_2.png) [@CarlosLuis](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/CarlosLuis)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2025, 11:31pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/merilog-a-novolog-bio-similar-by-sanofi-has-been-approved/15165/1 "2025-03-03T23:31:28Z")
> **[Merilog (insulin aspart-szjj) FDA Approval History - Drugs.com](https://www.drugs.com/history/merilog.html?utm_source=ddc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Monthly%2BNews%2BRoundup%2B%2B%2BVol%2B246%2B%2BFebruary%2B2025&hash2=b531e444d3870de4b695bb96c727e518)** > > FDA approval history for Merilog (insulin aspart-szjj) used to treat Diabetes Mellitus. Supplied by sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC ---
**Author:** ![TomH](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/tomh/32/9063_2.png) [@TomH](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/TomH)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2025, 1:38pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/merilog-a-novolog-bio-similar-by-sanofi-has-been-approved/15165/2 "2025-03-04T13:38:15Z")
So new it isn’t in the Tricare Formulary search tool yet! Something to watch for… ---
**Author:** ![bwschulz](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/bwschulz/32/8869_2.png) [@bwschulz](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/bwschulz)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2025, 3:12pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/merilog-a-novolog-bio-similar-by-sanofi-has-been-approved/15165/3 "2025-03-09T15:12:56Z")
Thanks for posting. Hopefully my insurance will offer me a lower copay and a financial incentive to switch from Novolog like they did when Basaglar came our as a biosimilar for Lantus, but I’m not holding my breath. ---
**Author:** ![jbowler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e274bd/32.png) [@jbowler](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/jbowler)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2025, 9:56pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/merilog-a-novolog-bio-similar-by-sanofi-has-been-approved/15165/4 "2025-03-28T21:56:10Z")
What are they meaning by “biosimilar”. [drugs.com](http://drugs.com) states that basalgar is not a lantus biosimilar, here: > **[Basaglar and Lantus - What is the difference between them?](https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/difference-between-basaglar-lantus-3016716/)** > > Official answer: Basaglar and Lantus are both injections that contain insulin glargine, a long-acting form of insulin to help control... I can’t find a meaningful definition of the word “biosimilar”. ---
**Author:** ![CarlosLuis](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/carlosluis/32/11389_2.png) [@CarlosLuis](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/CarlosLuis)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2025, 10:17pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/merilog-a-novolog-bio-similar-by-sanofi-has-been-approved/15165/5 "2025-03-28T22:17:51Z")
> [@jbowler](#): > > I can’t find a meaningful definition of the word “biosimilar”. Generic is exactly the same chemically as the brand name. Biosimilar may be very close but may have some slight differences. The bold in this definition states that. # biosimilar drug Listen to pronunciation (BY-oh-SIH-mih-ler …) A biological drug that is very much like another biological drug (called the reference drug) that has already been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). **Biosimilar drugs and reference drugs are made from living organisms but they may be made in different ways and of slightly different substances**. To be called a biosimilar drug, a biological drug must be shown to be as safe as, work as well as, and work in the same way as its reference drug. It must also be used in the same way, at the same dose, and for the same condition as the reference drug. Biosimilar drugs must be approved by FDA, and may cost less than the reference drugs. > **[NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms](https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/biosimilar-drug)** > > NCI's Dictionary of Cancer Terms provides easy-to-understand definitions for words and phrases related to cancer and medicine. ---
**Author:** ![bwschulz](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/bwschulz/32/8869_2.png) [@bwschulz](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/bwschulz)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2025, 10:55pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/merilog-a-novolog-bio-similar-by-sanofi-has-been-approved/15165/6 "2025-03-28T22:55:39Z")
Biosimilars are like generics, but for biologics and not drugs ([https://www.fda.gov/drugs/biosimilars/biosimilars-basics-patients](https://www.fda.gov/drugs/biosimilars/biosimilars-basics-patients)). I didn’t realize that Basaglar and Lantus are not technically biosimilars of each other- I think Basaglar was technically a follow-on biologic medication because it was approved by an earlier process. Here’s more on it- [https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/drugs-basaglar-vs-lantus#ingredients](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/drugs-basaglar-vs-lantus#ingredients) Regardless, it’s the same medication with a different brand name.